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A view on Blu-ray by Gary W. Tooze

Sorceress aka "Temptress of the Dark" aka "Temptress" [Blu-ray]

 

(Jim Wynorski, 1995)

 

   

 

Review by Gary Tooze

 

Production:

Theatrical: Win-Tone Productions

Video: Synapse Films

 

Disc:

Region: FREE! (as verified by the Momitsu region FREE Blu-ray player)

Runtime: 1:28:56.497 

Disc Size: 22,799,879,018 bytes

Feature Size: 22,572,906,048 bytes

Video Bitrate: 29.53 Mbps

Chapters: 16

Case: Black Blu-ray case

Release date: June 14th, 2016

 

Video:

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1

Resolution: 1080p / 23.976 fps

Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video

 

Audio:

DTS-HD Master Audio English 2079 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 2079 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 2.0 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Commentaries:

Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps

 

Subtitles:

English, None

 

Extras:

• Audio Commentary with Director Jim Wynorski
Additional Audio Commentary with Director Jim Wynorski and SPFX Artist/Actor/Director, Tom Savini

 

Bitrate:

 

 

Description: Larry Barnes (Larry Poindexter) is on the fast track to a partnership in a prestigious law firm, and his sexy witch wife Erica (Julie Strain, HEAVY METAL 2000) will do anything to keep her husband happy. But Erica makes a fatal mistake when she tries to kill Larry's main competition for the partnership, Howard Reynolds (Edward Albert, GALAXY OF TERROR). With Howard now crippled for life from Erica's dark magic, his wife Amelia (Linda Blair, THE EXORCIST) plots her revenge. Using witchcraft and a mystical medallion, Amelia tries to destroy everyone and everything in Larry's life!

All the pleasures of the flesh and malevolence of black magic collide in this newly remastered and uncensored version of Jim Wynorski's SORCERESS (aka TEMPTRESS). Presented for the first time ever from a new 2K scan of the original uncut film element, this release features additional footage and additional nudity removed from the original release.

 

 

The Film:

In this dark tale of eroticism and the supernatural, Larry (Larry Poindexter) is an attorney rising through the ranks at a prominent law firm. Larry's wife Erica (Julie Strain) loves her husband very much and would do nearly anything for him -- which takes on a whole new meaning when one discovers that she's a witch with a firm command of her darker powers. Larry is in line for a promotion, but instead the senior partnership is given to Howard (Edward Albert), and Erica is just as upset as you might imagine; using both her sexual allure and her magical powers, Erica takes her revenge on Howard, leaving him in a wheelchair. However, it seems that Howard's wife Amelia (Linda Blair) is also a witch, and she's not about to allow the crippling of Howard to go unpunished. Sorceress also features Michael Parks and a cameo appearance from noted exploitation director Fred Olen Ray.

Excerpt from MRQE located HERE

Direct to video smut-peddling auteur Jim Wynorski knows how to get an audience’s attention. His shamelessly low-grade Erotic Fantasy begins with a sweaty voodoo ritual, featuring sultry Amazonian goddess Julie Strain oiling down and caressing every curve of her naked body whilst uttering incoherent gobbledygook. Julie’s disconcertingly arousing witchcraft shenanigans manage to place a sexy hex on an unlucky guy. The poor guy in question is driving on the highway, and in the midst of a phone chat with his wife [cult legend Linda Blair], when said spell strikes and he loses control of the wheel, sending his car careering off a mountain into a fiery inferno. Julie’s boyfriend Larry returns home to find her in this oiled up state, and realising she’s been up to no good with sexy witchcraft again, he calls time on the relationship. When Julie tries to stop him leaving, there is a struggle and the statuesque babe inadvertently falls through a window and is killed. Cut to modern day and poor Larry is haunted by the loss of Julie. Quite literally in fact, as he wanders around his swank apartment having a series of in no way gratuitous sex flashbacks featuring the delectable Ms Strain straddling the lucky guy; and presumably trying her best not to laugh at his hilarious sex face.

Excerpt from CultMovieGuide located HERE

 

Image :    NOTE: The below Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

Firstly - we should note that Synapse films describes this as the 'Uncensored Directors Approved Edition' as it states this on the cover of the Blu-ray. Eyebrows raised. Sorceress gets a 1080P transfer from 2K. It's in the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and doesn't look amazing sharp - but it may be at the higher end for this soft-core genre - I'll please ignorance. It looks consistent but never amazing... the screen grabs below should give you a good idea.

 

CLICK EACH BLU-RAY CAPTURE TO SEE ALL IMAGES IN FULL 1920X1080 RESOLUTION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audio :

The score is via a DTS-HD Master 2.0 channel stereo track at 2079 kbps (24-bit). It's as consistent as the video - direct from the production and there are no flaws with some of the score, credited to Chuck Cirino + Darryl Way, adding a bit of drama to the... sex. There are no subtitle options and my Oppo has identified it as being a region FREE disc playable on Blu-ray machines worldwide.

 

 

Extras :

A couple of commentaries - a first with Director Jim Wynorski and a second with Wynorski and SPFX Artist/Actor/Director, Tom Savini. I listen briefly, and it sounded, predictably, light. Nice to include something, I guess...

 

 

BOTTOM LINE:
This was quite graphic - but I live a sheltered life. Julie Strain's fake breasts are in full view... constantly. I was hoping Linda Blair would add some 'B' charm after warming to her, post Exorcist, in Savage Streets. There is nothing particularly unique or inventive about Sorceress - in fact it's pretty terrible but the nudity is a distraction that some may find appealing. Personally, I'll state that it's not worth it. Pass. 

Gary Tooze

May 27th, 2016

   


 

About the Reviewer: Hello, fellow Beavers! I have been interested in film since I viewed a Chaplin festival on PBS when I was around 9 years old. I credit DVD with expanding my horizons to fill an almost ravenous desire to seek out new film experiences. I currently own approximately 9500 DVDs and have reviewed over 3500 myself. I appreciate my discussion Listserv for furthering my film education and inspiring me to continue running DVDBeaver. Plus a healthy thanks to those who donate and use our Amazon links.

Although I never wanted to become one of those guys who focused 'too much' on image and sound quality - I find HD is swiftly pushing me in that direction.

Gary's Home Theatre:

60-Inch Class (59.58” Diagonal) 1080p Pioneer KURO Plasma Flat Panel HDTV PDP6020-FD

Oppo Digital BDP-83 Universal Region FREE Blu-ray/SACD Player
Momitsu - BDP-899 Region FREE Blu-ray player
Marantz SA8001 Super Audio CD Player
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Tannoy DC6-T (fronts) + Energy (centre, rear, subwoofer) speakers (5.1)

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Gary W. Tooze

 

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